The answer that Jesus gives that is the story of the Good Samaritan comes from a question that is asked of him in Luke 10.

“Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

“Who is my neighbour?” (see Luke 10:25,29)

Joseph Smith

The Prophet Joseph Smith encouraged us to look for these questions as we seek understanding regarding the teachings in the scriptures. If we can understand the question that is being asked, we can understand the meaning of the stories in the text.

“I have a key by which I understand the scriptures. I inquire, what was the question which drew out the answer, or caused Jesus to utter the parable? … To ascertain its meaning, we must dig up the root and ascertain what it was that drew the saying out of Jesus” (History of the Church, 5:261).